Who’s Moving To and From Massachusetts?
In the latest Census data (2022), Massachusetts lost about 42,037 more residents to other states than it gained — a net outflow. More people leave for New Hampshire than arrive from anywhere else, and the largest inbound stream comes from New York.
Top states moving into Massachusetts
- New York 21,374
- California 14,217
- New Hampshire 11,334
- Florida 10,314
- Rhode Island 8,568
Where Massachusetts residents move
- New Hampshire 22,047
- Florida 19,189
- New York 18,933
- California 14,818
- Rhode Island 13,465
Net interstate migration: -42,037 more people left than arrived (vs. the other 49 states).
Source: US Census Bureau, ACS State-to-State Migration Flows · as of 2022 · methodology
Where Massachusetts residents go: the biggest destinations are New Hampshire, Florida and New York. The single largest stream runs to New Hampshire — about 22,047 people in a year. In total, roughly 179,453 residents left Massachusetts for another state, versus about 137,416 who moved in.
Who moves to Massachusetts: the largest inbound flows come from New York, California and New Hampshire, led by New York with about 21,374 arrivals. These corridors tend to reflect geography, job markets, and — increasingly — the gap in taxes and cost of living between the two states.
Why people leave: Massachusetts's outflow fits the national pattern of residents moving from higher-cost, higher-tax states toward cheaper, lower-tax ones. With a state income tax (5.0%–9.0%) and an above-average cost of living, the math of moving can be worth a meaningful raise in purchasing power — which is exactly what many of the top destinations offer.
Thinking about joining one of these moves? The honest comparison is your full tax-and-cost picture, not one line of it. A move between Massachusetts and New York can change your take-home pay and monthly costs by more than people expect — worth running the numbers before you decide.
Compare Massachusetts with any state in the comparison tool, check your take-home pay and cost of living, or see the national picture in the states Americans are fleeing and the state rankings.
Frequently asked questions
- Are people leaving Massachusetts?
- On net, yes — Massachusetts loses more residents to other states than it gains, a net outflow of about 42,037 in 2022. The most leave for New Hampshire.
- Which state do most people move to from Massachusetts?
- New Hampshire is the top destination for people leaving Massachusetts, with about 22,047 moves in the latest year, followed by Florida and New York.
- Which states do people move to Massachusetts from?
- The largest inbound flows to Massachusetts come from New York, California and New Hampshire, led by New York with about 21,374 arrivals.